Duluth Public Library Announces Winner of One Book Contest

DULUTH - The Duluth Public Library is delighted to announce that the votes are in: the book selected by readers throughout the Northland for One Book, One Community 2015 is Linda LeGarde Grover's The Dance Boots, a collection of short stories.

This and three other books were candidates for the honor: The Lighthouse Road by Peter Geye, Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, and Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

"This is the first time the public has selected the book, and the community response was outstanding," said Carla Powers, Duluth Public Library manager. Powers surprised Grover by announcing the result of the vote at the Bookstore at Fitger's Thursday night, where the author was launching her new novel, The Road Back to Sweetgrass. "This is the first time the Northland has chosen the book, and they chose a local author," observed Powers. "That says a lot about our community."

The public voted online through the Duluth Public Library's website, its Facebook and Twitter feeds, and on paper ballots at local libraries and bookstores throughout the region.

Book lovers in Cloquet, Duluth, Hibbing, Superior, and Virginia all participated in the selection process, making it a truly regional selection.

One Book, One Community events will be held in spring 2015, and those events will be announced early in 2015.

In the meantime, all are encouraged to pick up a copy of The Dance Books from their local library or bookstore and start reading.